How do we begin to understand others, when it can be difficult to understand ourselves? Why is it that we insist that we have the answers for those around us when we too struggle to change? People can seem to annoy us, piss us off, and cause us pain. We say “if they would just… Read More »
therapy
The need to be “right”
What is it that drives us to seek truths or cling to culturally accepted beliefs? When faced by others who have different beliefs, why do we at times feel so threatened? We seek others who tend to hold our viewpoints and when around those who we differ with we may refrain from intently listening to their… Read More »
The paradox of noise
I found the following sitting on the copy machine where I work the other day. I thought I’d share it. Paradox of Noise It is a paradox that we encounter so much internal noise when we first try and sit in silence. It is a paradox that experiencing pain releases pain. It is a… Read More »
Personal empowerment
We’ve all done it at some point. We go against our better intuition in making a decision whether it’s casual or of serious importance. We look back with regret on what we “should have” or “shouldn’t have” done. We’ll say things to ourselves such as “I had a feeling” or “I knew this would happen”. Is… Read More »
Moving beyond non-productive arguments
(Preface: Communication and relationship issues with partner, spouses, or even friends and family can be very complex. This blog might highlight what is a small portion of what goes into various aspects of why we argue with certain people or in certain situations.) For those people with kids, imagine this common scenario. You’ve got a… Read More »
Exercise as a solution for anxiety?
The concept of mind, body, and spirit is a commonly held idea that we possess different aspects of self that make up the total self. We think and rationalize with the mind. We use our body to manifest our thoughts physically and we take in sensory experiences through our 5 physical senses. Our “spirit” is commonly referred to as… Read More »
The need to project the ideal self
You’ve probably noticed it on social media outlets such as Facebook. It is mostly a very positive outlet with people posting their best pictures and sharing their good times. It’s become a great way for people to share with others what they are enjoying. (I do think that it’s fine to be proud of what you have in your… Read More »
And then it happens…
The recent changes you made to not get into an argument with your partner ended when you blew up over something minor… You violated your pledge to stop wishing death upon the guy who cuts you off in traffic without a turn signal. You filled your car with an obscenity laced tirade, in turn leaving… Read More »
The problem with Monday
What if Monday didn’t “suck”? What if it only “sucked” because of what we are doing on Monday “sucked”? Job satisfaction in America is low. I don’t need to produce a graph to emphasize that known point. We work, generally, because we need to make money to live. Few people love what they do enough… Read More »
A different look at death and grieving
I had the opportunity to attend a seminar last winter on the topic of death, grief, and loss, as well as how to support those grieving. The workshop, facilitated by Dr. Alan Wolfelt, focused on our perceived notions of death and supporting the bereaved. Death, and the topic of death, is relatively avoided in society. … Read More »